Esthesia

x by Ebony x

Chapter 2

I have no rights to Naruto

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The rooms of the Uchiha household were just like the Uchiha themselves; proper, clean, and high-quality. However, there were things out of place here and there, like a piece of washing that fell from the basket, or something that had been nudged off-kilter as someone went by. A picture frame that was cracked. It was as if they were trying to hide something, or perhaps erase it from being; just a stain against their untainted white.

Nightmares flitted over the brow of the young boy, who rolled over in sleep. The crisp, pale sheet twisted around his body, the entire scene painted over in blue, coming through the paper screens that made the walls. He shivered, bringing his knees up to his chest to retain warmth. Unbeknownst to him, another's body heat leaked in where their thigh touched his back. The expression on his face calmed, and returned to the childish innocence it usually wore.

Elegant fingers wove themselves into the dark mass that was Sasuke's hair, twisting the strands, watching the dim light shine off them. He was so quiet, he almost seemed a ghost or a guardian angel of sorts. His breath leaked out over his lips slowly, eyes half-closed and intently watching his brother's face. He counted the seconds between breaths, pulling back his hand as Sasuke stirred, bringing one hand up to rub against his eyes. He looked blankly around, finally noticing Itachi sitting behind him.

"N-Nii-san?" he murmured, digging his elbow into the futon so he could look at his sibling comfortabley.

"Ssh." Itachi placed a fingertip lightly in the middle of Sasuke's lips, his nail lightly grazing the soft, rosey surface. "Everyone is sleeping."

"W-why are you awake? Were you…having nightmares?" the younger asked, pulling back so he could speak, though in a hushed tone.

"No." Itachi told him, drawing his hand back into his lap. Sasuke grew puzzled at Itachi's expression, as it almost seemed sad, withholding something it wanted to share but didn't know how. Nonetheless, Itachi gave a twitch of smile, leaning down towards the boy.

"Sasuke?"

"Y-yes?"

"You do love me… don't you, little brother?"

"Of course," Sasuke gave a nod, eyes brightening, under the dark, heavy lashes. "And Nii-san… Nii-san loves me, right?"

"That's right," Itachi whispered, his lips like butterfly wings against Sasuke's forehead, leaving as soon as they came.

"Nii-san-"

"Go back to sleep, Sasuke."

Itachi felt his thigh become Sasuke's pillow and he wrapped an arm around his brother, letting his hand settle just under Sasuke's hip where it rubbed softly back and forth. The younger didn't mind, squirming a little so that he was more comfortable.

"Will you love me forever Sasuke?"

"Mm-hm," Sasuke murmured somniferously

"Do you promise?"

"I promise…"

"Even if it hurts?"

"I don't want it to hurt…"

"Promise me, Sasuke." Itachi's voice become forceful, and Sasuke winced, as if he had been attacked. He stayed quiet, feeling Itachi's fingers dig a little harder into his skin through his shirt, pressing against his ribs. Sasuke whimpered a little, caught betwen falling fully alseep or staying awake with his brother. Itachi was actually spending time with him, and he wanted to enjoy it, but something held him back.

"Will you promise me?" came the question again, this time in a louder tone, so that it almost seemed a yell in the silence. Sasuke felt his head tipped up so he faced his older brother's pensive face, that intense blank that was so frightening.

"I promise." Sasuke whispered, hoping his brother would be satisfied. A sigh lilted into the rigid air, and Itachi lay down next to Sasuke, on arm holding his brother to him while the other ran itself through Sasuke's hair over and over and over. Like threads, he curled them around his fingers, tight enough to watch his skin turn creme in some areas, cherry in others. Sasuke lay there a while, eyes wide open, scared. Something was wrong with his older brother, but he couldn't bring up the courage to ask. He wasn't like Itachi, who could conquer anything without losing face, forever a mask of grace and perfection.

His skin prickled with goosebumps and he closed his eyes tight. He could feel sleep/dream/nightmare pulling at him, tugging him down into their world. Farther away, so far away.

And over and over, he could feel Itachi tracing patterns onto his arm with his fingers, just lightly.

Notquite enough to make it hurt.

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